Process for labelling deep-drawn cups

Abstract

A label is applied to a cup by superimposing a foil tape on a label tape that has a plurality of transverse breaking lines. The tapes are heated to "floatingly" connect the label tape to the foil tape and are then introduced into a deep-drawing apparatus so that the punch thereof may cyclically sever a single label and at the same time form a cup. If the breaking line is fed to the longitudinal axis of the deep-drawing apparatus, the label will be applied to two sides of the cup. If the label tape is fed so that the breaking line is approximately at the far edge of the deep-drawing apparatus then the label will be applied to only one side of the cup. The label tape may be longitudinally slit so that a plurality of cups may be simultaneously deep-drawn.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for applying a label to the side wall of a deep-drawn cup of approximately square configuration, said process comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a first length of foil tape that is to form the body of the cup to a deep-drawing apparatus;   (b) feeding a second length of label tape;   (c) forming a plurality of preset breaking lines in the label tape in a direction that is transverse the feed direction of the label tape;   (d) superimposing the foil tape over the label tape during the feeding thereof;   (e) applying heat to the superimposed tapes whereby the label tape is "floatingly" connected to the foil tape;   (f) introducing the superimposed tapes into the deep-drawing apparatus; and   (g) advancing the punch of the deep-drawing apparatus against the foil tape to thereby rupture the preset breaking line whereby a single label is secured to the side wall of a cup during the molding thereof.   
     
     
       2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the superimposed tapes are introduced into the deep-drawing apparatus such that the preset breaking lines coincide with the longitudinal axis of the deep-drawing apparatus prior to said advancing step whereby a label is applied to two sides of the container. 
     
     
       3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the superimposed tapes are introduced into the deep-drawing apparatus such that the preset breaking lines are positioned approximately at the far edge of the deep-drawing apparatus in the direction of feed prior to said advancing step whereby a label is applied to only one side of the container. 
     
     
       4. The process according to claim 1 further including the step of longitudinally slitting the label tape prior to said superimposing step to thereby form a plurality of side-by-side label tapes whereby a plurality of cups may be simultaneously deep drawn.